PictureTel Sells Its 5,000th SwiftSite, The World's First Compact
Videoconferencing System
PR Newswire - June 11, 1997 16:33
ANDOVER, Mass., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- PictureTel Corporation
(Nasdaq: PCTL), the world leader in videoconferencing, today announced the
recent sale of its 5,000th SwiftSite(TM), the world's first compact
videoconferencing system. Customers and resellers have responded
enthusiastically to the advantages of the high-quality, standards-based
system, which is simple, portable and affordable.
PictureTel designed SwiftSite after conducting market research to
determine what customers wanted from a videoconferencing system. Customers
said they wanted a videoconferencing system that is easy to install and
operate, one that can be easily shipped or moved to another location, and a
solution that is affordable. SwiftSite met those customer needs, which was
demonstrated by the orders for more than 1,000 SwiftSite systems PictureTel
received before it launched the product. In the first seven months on the
market, SwiftSite has surpassed PictureTel's expectations.
"We knew there would be a large market for this product. Customers were
telling us they had applications that required a system that was smaller and
easier to manage to complement the group and desktop systems they already were
using. Even with that input, we're still pleasantly surprised by how quickly
it took off," said Dom LaCava, PictureTel's president and COO. "We are
excited by these results."
Among the hundreds of customers who have purchased SwiftSite is Zurich Re
(Zurich), the reinsurance operation within Zurich Group, which has its
headquarters in Switzerland. Adrian Baumberger, managing service director
said, "We purchased SwiftSite to enhance the company's business conducted
while on the road. SwiftSite is a fine product. It is easy to transport and
manage and is especially helpful when traveling. Most hotels have access to
ISDN so it's easy to plug in and hook up. Our underwriters can have face-to-
face meetings, anytime, anywhere. We also have been using it to conduct
preliminary interviews in the United States as well as the United Kingdom."
SwiftSite is a breakthrough product in the new compact category of
videoconferencing systems. In an industry first, the compact system sits on
top of the TV monitor to which it connects. It combines PictureTel's
industry-leading, standards-based video and audio performance in a small,
self-contained unit. SwiftSite weighs less than 10 pounds, is about five
inches high and 20 inches wide, and uses a single ISDN basic rate interface
(BRI) telephone line. SwiftSite's camera, microphone and video and audio
compression components are in a fully integrated system that is easy to
install, operate and transport. It has a U.S. list price of $8,995, and is
available worldwide from PictureTel and its distribution partners.
PictureTel Corporation is the world leader in developing, manufacturing
and marketing a full range of videoconferencing solutions. The company's
systems meet customers' videoconferencing needs from the desktop to the
boardroom. PictureTel also markets network conferencing servers and a
comprehensive portfolio of enterprise-wide services. Additional PictureTel
information is available on the Internet at www.picturetel.com. PictureTel
videoconferencing eliminates the barrier of distance, enabling people to be
Anywhere Now(TM).
NOTE: PictureTel is a registered trademark and SwiftSite and Anywhere Now
are trademarks of PictureTel Corporation.
SOURCE PictureTel Corporation
CONTACT: Kevin Flanagan of PictureTel Corporation, 508-292-5178 or
flanagank@pictel.com |
